What is Remy Hair

If you’re reading this, chances are you are hoping to find out what Remy hair is and how it is different from a virgin, non-Remy, and other hair types. Well, Remy is a popular word used widely in the hair industry for several decades now. Different people have a different definition of Remy hair, and almost everyone tends to attach a number of attributes to it, either consciously or subconsciously.

The one thought that mostly pops up in our minds upon hearing the term “Remy hair,” is “virgin hair.” Remember, virgin hair is entirely unprocessed human hair that features intact cuticles. There exist some similarities and differences between Remy and virgin hair; we’ll discuss them later in this article, but let me make it clear that Remy hair is not virgin hair because the former is processed (dyed).

Other myths about Remy hair include the notion that Remy hair is Indian hair. Remy hair doesn’t necessarily need to be Indian hair. Also, some people think that a hair extension that features an unusual mixture of thin and fine hair is actually Remy hair. That’s not true either. Sometimes people judge hair on the basis of its price, thinking hair that costs thousands of dollars is Remy hair. That’s a myth because Remy hair isn’t always expensive. Then there are those people who think of Remy hair as European hair. That’s completely wrong. These myths will be automatically debunked as I walk you through the real definition of Remy hair.

Before going to the original definition of Remy hair, first let’s discuss how hair sellers artificially changed the definition of Remy hair and turned it into a generic term to suit their needs and to rip you off your hard earned money. The bad news is that many hair sellers today don’t even shy away from declaring their low-grade hair as Remy hair. Most of the hair extensions sold as Remy hair today are either low-quality human hair or a mixture of hair and fiber. But this doesn’t mean that high quality, original Remy hair extensions don’t exist. There are many respected and reputed companies that sell high-quality Remy hair.

The Real Definition of Remy Hair

The original definition of Remy hair is very simple, and it actually indicates the way the strands are placed. The true Remy hair features authentic human hair strands placed root-to-tip. In simple words, the hair is carefully bundled, so the cuticles point in the same direction from the moment it is cut from the donor. We can also say that Remy actually denotes the attributes of the hair in addition to how the hair is manufactured, starting with the donor.

The approach used to collect the hair is quite time-consuming and sophisticated. The hair collector has to make sure that each strand is placed in the natural direction (the direction in which it grew on the donor). To achieve this goal, the hair is often held in a ponytail and then slashed. This ensures that the natural texture and cuticles remain intact.

Why Remy hair doesn’t get tangled is also attributed to the way the hair strands are bundled, cut and aligned. And the reason why Remy hair is relatively expensive is also because the collection of this hair type requires more effort and time. Remy hair extensions have a relatively long life expectancy, approximately 8-15 months. If you take proper care of Remy hair, it will serve you for even longer.

Is Remy Hair Unprocessed?

Remy hair has to be slightly processed. After the hair extension manufacturing process is complete, the final products are subjected to slight dying. You may have heard from hair extension sellers that they sell unprocessed Remy hair. Remember, Remy hair has to be always processed to some extent, so it is made sure that the cuticles are aligned in the ideal direction.

There are also sellers who mix 20 to 30 percent non-Remy hair in their extensions and sell them at the price of 100 percent Remy hair. If you are a hair expert, you can easily feel the difference by running your fingers through the hair. Original Remy hair will give your hand a smooth and silky feeling.

Difference Between Remy Hair and Virgin Hair

Now that you know the original definition of Remy hair, let’s discuss how it is different from virgin hair. Well, virgin hair is actually authentic human hair that comes from a single donor, and has cuticles undamaged and flowing in the same direction. You might say this is the definition of Remy hair. Read on to know where’s the difference.

To fit into the virgin hair club, the hair has to satisfy the highest quality standards, meaning that the hair must not be dyed, colored, bleached or processed in any way. This is what differentiates Remy hair from virgin hair. Remy hair has to be slightly processed (dyed, bleached, colored) to ensure that the cuticles are running in the intended direction.

Are The 100 Percent Human Weaves Remy?

Most weaves and extension manufacturers claim to sell 100 percent human. But the reality is that most of them actually use hair collected from hairbrushes and hair fallen on the floor during hairdressing in their products. This type of hair is in abundant supply, so the weaves are relatively cheaper. It is worth mentioning here that most hair extensions and weaves available on the market today are made of non-Remy hairs, which have cuticles running in different directions.

Manufacturers of non-Remy hair mostly subject the products to chemical treatments like an acid bath in a bid to remove the entire cuticles. The hair is then treated with silicone to make it shiny; however, after wearing it for a few weeks and shampooing it a few times, the silicone will be removed, and your hair extension or weave will become dull.

Conclusion

Remy hair is possibly the most misconstrued and clichéd phrase in the world of hair extensions and weaves. Remy hair is simply chemically treated genuine human hair of highest quality in which the cuticles run in the same direction (root-to-tip), and the strands are of the same length. If you want to wear the highest quality human hair with no risk of tangling, Remy hair is for you.